I skipped down dunes
ran arms wide along wet sand beaches
fingered rocks smooth, yet so square
as the sun set pink, purple, blue.
I slept in a warm caterpillar’s cocoon
winked at spacious stars as cool air nuzzled cheeks
rolled over to dewy grass
birds chirping, day’s wake, glittery.

Yet I did not groan at this morning’s garbage truck grumble
throwing open the front door, I hopped onto sun-streaked streets
overflowing: people, trash, screech, honks, dogs, caffeine, crash
and amidst this wild symphony the birds were still loudly chirping
and I tossed my arms about laughing
because the city is also my wilderness.